A 2019 study found that Wisconsin is has one of the worst racial disparities for Black children in the US. How does that pan out for student’s living in Madison? Importantly, what is the actual experience for Black people who get their education at our schools?

Today we are spending the hour with a group of Black scholars who are working to expose a more complete history of Black Madisonians’ experiences in education. In that work, the Black Madison Voices Project aims to advance anti-racist curriculum, policies, and practices in our K-12 and higher-learning institutions. At the heart of the project are interviews with Black folks who went to school in Madison.

Five members of the group join host Ali Muldrow to discuss why they got involved and what they have learned from interviewees so far. 

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About our guests:

Dr. Maxine McKinney de Royston is an Associate Professor at UW-Madison in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction.  Her teaching and scholarship focus on developing and sustaining learning spaces that support the intellectual thriving and holistic well-being of Black students.

Ruby Bafu is a 6th year PhD candidate in Sociology studying students’ experiences in online learning spaces. 

Jalessa Bryant is a doctoral candidate in the Multicultural Education area of the Curriculum and Instruction Department at UW-Madison.

Dr. Aireale J. Rodgers is an Anna Julia Cooper Fellow and Assistant Professor of Higher Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis department.

Yanika Davis is a second year Master of Public Health student at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.

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